CCP 02-20-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

105 South 5th 5rreet ~I Box 530 ~^'!J'1fJ..eapolis MN 55440 _. .. Tel (612) 347.8000 ~S,~ ~ . . ~ I CP Rail System ~I Operating Department Heavy Haul. US February 7, 1996 I File: X-PAY-007-80-B I Richard M. Johnson, P.E. HNTB Corporation suite 250 I 3400 W. 66th street, Minneapolis, MN 55435 Re: S.P. 62-646-12, Cleveland Ave. Bridge over Railroad Dear Mr. Johnson: I This letter is in response to your December 13, 1995 letter I requesting CP Rail System position on the Cleveland Ave. Project alternatives "A" thru "C". Alternative A - Existing alignment with replacement of the existing I bridge. Position: FAVOR. This alternative retains the grade separation and acceptable horizontal and vertical clearances. It will enhance public safety and convenience while not affecting railroad operations. . I Alternative B - Alignment shifted to the west with replacement of the existing bridge. Position: NEUTRAL. This alternative has the same attributes of alt A, but at a higher cost. I Alternative C - Existing alignment with elimination of the bridge (At-grade crossing). Position: OPPOSED. An at grade crossing at this location would greatly increase pUblic I exposure to the hazards of a train/vehicle collision. It would also increase the potential for vehicle/vehicle collision as certain I classes of vehicles are required to stop at RR crossings and these stops are not always expected by other motorists. A railroad curve east of the proposed grade crossing would hamper I motorists view of approaching trains, and train engineers view of situations at the grade crossing. The pUblic will experience frequent and sometimes long delays due to I train blockages. Train activity in this area is fairly active. A 24 hour period will see 8 to 12 thru trains at up to 40 MPH using this track. Another 10 to 12 movements per day under the brid~e are made I in switching movements at very low speeds. Unit coal tra~ns are operated at very low speeds (due to the sharp curvature of the wye track) over the crossing twice a day. It is expected that total train traffic in this area will increase in the future. I . , I .-.-. .